Ormond Crossings project gets key vote

Commissioners voted to rezone 2,924 acres west of Interstate 95 that will pave the way for the massive mixed-use development.

By CHRIS GRAHAMchris.graham@news-jrnl.com

ORMOND BEACH — Commissioner Bill Partington remembers nine years ago the Ormond Crossings development was hailed as the city’s future.Today, it is still an idea, but it’s a little closer.On Tuesday, he and other commissioners made a symbolic vote by rezoning 2,924 acres west of Interstate 95 that will pave the way for the massive mixed-use development that will include three million square feet of office and industrial space, an elementary school and nearly 3,000 residential units. The development also will include several miles of interconnecting trails and a town center. “It’s cool to finally see this come to fruition,” said Partington, who was first elected in 2003. The development, proposed by Tomoka Holdings LLC, went on the drawing board a year after Partington and Commissioner Troy Kent came into office — well before the economy took a nose dive.Bob Londeree, a land planning consultant working for Tomoka Holding, said it will be a while before any construction takes place. The company will have to build infrastructure and then hope developers are ready to build.“It will be a couple of years for anything to go vertical,” he said.Still, the city sees as bright a future for the development as it did nearly a decade ago.“I think it’s well put together,” Mayor Ed Kelley said. “I think we’re all going to be proud to call it a part of Ormond Beach.”In other business Tuesday, commissioners:Amended the proposed budget to include a 4 percent raise for City Manager Joyce Shanahan and City Attorney Randy Hayes. Shanahan has not received a raise in four years. A 2 percent increase for solid waste services was also included in the budget. Approved a proposal to renovate the southern section of its fishing pier under the Granada bridge. Work will begin immediately on the Cassen Park fishing pier along with the pedestrian guardrail. Bomar Construction Inc. will be contracted to carry out the renovation, which will cost up to $170,925. The renovation is expected to take about eight weeks to complete. Authorized a join participation agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation to make improvements to medians on State Road 40 west of Interstate 95. The agreement calls for an automatic irrigation system to be installed for the medians west of I-95 to the city limits. The cost of irrigation system is estimated at $150,000. The agreement, however, is for $500,000. Amended a part of the land development code to allow on Division Avenue a brewery, which is planning to have a tasting room.